a little diversity never killed anyone.....

[writeangel1]

My brother Virgil and I were talking a few days ago after watching Raising the Bar. We were discussing the likelihood of Richard/Roz and Michelle/Balco hooking up. Virgil made the off comment that the 'black guy' (J. August Richards) would never get a love interest that was a part of the main cast. I told him that Richards character, Marcus, had

Comments

[ghanistarkiller]

I'm in a position, being Caucasian, where I never really think if I'm relating to a character because of it because, well, as the whole post points out the majority of characters are like me. but you made me think of other things, like how if a character's Greek, I'll pay extra attention, or deaf, as my sister is--things not necessarily related to race but related to self. Of course, I'd like to believe that I'm totally "colorblind" and in some cases I am, for instance Tara's definitely my favorite True Blood character and the one I relate to strongest. But, on a whole, I probably do gravitate to characters/actresses that are most like me.

But I want to see more diversity. Celebrating what is already there is a wonderful thing (even when you start to examine it and realize how paltry it is), but striving for something much more equal and much more representative of our culture is always a must for me! In every color, shape and size, religion, disability, etc.

[writeangel1]

I totally get what you're saying. Being black (or African-American as the pc would call it) I pay attention to how black women are shown. However I also pay very close attention when 'Christians' are portrayed or military families as my family is both of those things. My favorite tv characters are Caucasian and I don't really think about it - but like you said, I would love to have more of our American culture represented.

BTW, I didn't know you watched true blood! That show is sooo addictive.

[ghanistarkiller]

Hehe, I was hoping that it didn't sound like touchy-feely nonsense; I did go to a school where we had multicultural week for serious in one of the most hypocritical areas of the country: the alleged melting pot of the nation, except that nothing really melted or meshed--it was immensely segregated. However, what could have just been the seemingly patented white liberal guilt actually grew into sincere conscientiousness in me, and those images I was getting in the media (I'll date myself now) from, say, The Cosby ShowHeroes... Don't get me started.

I love True Blood! It's truly addicting! And this season's been so awesome so far! I thought Jessica would annoy the hell out of me but I think she's kinda... cute! Maryann's just... warped, and it makes me worry for Sam often! (Well, especially after that last episode! 0_0) And poor Lafayette! He was so confident, so strong and now he's having Eric-related episodes. God, that show glues me to the screen!

ETA: Ooh, and Psych is so awesome! Gus is my imaginary boyfriend. I think it should

[bodea]

I think I'm the same as well, do men do this! I'll have to ask my brother. Being black, Muslim, a women, and a person that loves to study other cultures, I find myself paying extra attention when these things are on my television. I think it's natural that we gravitate to things that we are familiar with, but it's important that we not get so comfortable in our own little corner of the world.

You're an English major? How'd that get past me?!

[crazy_in_lost]

Another show to add: Caprica (which will come out in 2010, but there was a pilot in 2009. It's a prequel to Battlestar Galatica, which ended this spring. They feature Asian and Hispanic lead characters, even though this is an alternate world and there's no black/white/Asian/etc

[writeangel1]

I totally forgot about 90210! *slaps forehead*

I purposefully left out crime procedurals but thanks for the heads up on House!

The lack of Asians is really sad...that's I'm really excited for the three new shows in 2009 - three networks shows that feature a main character of Asian descent - that's gotta be like a record or something! *shakes head*

[kepp0xy]

I've been thinking about this topic for the last few months and am still formulating my thoughts, but I'll take a stab at answering your question.

I generally don't notice a character's ethnicity until later, but focus on the personality and way they choose to live their lives within the context of the show. That's what draws me to a character initially. When it comes to gender, I do tend to be drawn to female characters (Supernatural is probably the one major exception to this rule) but there's a severe lack of strong, intelligent women in television too. And I know there are far fewer cast as CHOCs. I think America is behind certain other places (as you point out, the BBC which have their policy of colour-blind casting which gave us Angel as Gwen, for example) but what I find more distressing is that it's still a subject that needs to be thought of in the casting room at all. What I mean by that is: if so&so is absolutely perfect for the role, it shouldn't matter if they're black, white, orange, green or purple. The point of having

[writeangel1]

Awesome comment and I totally agree with you

[mathkid]

Honestly, I think color is much less important than culture. Even when there are people of color on American (or BBC) shows, they're often pretty well whitified on the inside.

[writeangel1]

What do you mean by whitified? :D

I can take a guess at what you mean but sometimes I feel like all minorities are expected to have a rich cultural background to define them whereas Caucasian characters....not so much. For example - the Asian with the demanding family, the middle eastern with the arranged marriage, the black with the unpronounceable name and house adorned with huge paintings of black Jesus.

[mathkid]

It's not that minorities have a cultural background and Caucasian characters don't -- it's that the cultural backgrounds are *different*. We don't notice the implied culture of the American characters because it's what we're used to.

By "whitified", I mean that they react and behave the same as an American character would have. Heck, I'm pretty whitified myself. Not completely, though. For example, it's a very typical East & South Asian thing, to put the good of the family above the individual (as opposed to here, where the individual trumps all). There are different values and accepted norms that come with cultures, and I'd rather see those on TV than actors of color.

[bodea]

I think both are equally important. I'm not sure what you mean by whitified. Something that has always bugged me are the behaviors that are often assigned to a race of people. For instance, talking proper=whitified. I don't get that.